1958
A new life in Toronto
Christos Platis arrives from Greece and begins the start of what soon will be a family tradition of dry cleaning.
OUR STORY · TORONTO SINCE 1958
Built by a family.
Trusted by a city.
Platis Cleaners began with two people, one small shop and a belief that exceptional garment care starts with personal responsibility.
Discover our beginnings ↓
1958
A NEW BEGINNING
From Greece to Toronto, with a future to build.
It was love at first sight for patriarch Christos Platis who came to Canada in 1958 from his native land Greece, all but with a photo of Carol Borovilos his soon to be bride. The couple worked together in a dry cleaner’s until 1961, when they bought Sparkle Cleaners at Bathurst Street and Wilson Avenue.
Together, Christos and Carol learned the dry cleaning trade and built their reputation one garment and one customer at a time. Their standard was simple: treat every item as though it belonged to family.
THE NAME ABOVE THE DOOR
A family business takes root.
In 1961, the couple purchased Sparkle Cleaners near Bathurst and Wilson. Six years later, they opened Platis & Sons 1 Hour Cleaners at 1 Bedford Road in Toronto’s Annex—the location that placed the family name at the heart of the business.
1BEDFORDTORONTO · 1967
MORE THAN SIX DECADES
The moments that shaped Platis.
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1961
Their first business
Christos and Carol purchase Sparkle Cleaners near Bathurst and Wilson.
1967
Platis & Sons
The family name appears above the door at 1 Bedford Road in the Annex.
1972
Film & television
Specialty garment care expands to Toronto’s production community.
1982
Safer handling
Platis adopts a system designed to avoid direct handling of cleaning solvent.
1985
Restoration care
The business expands into garment restoration after smoke, water and mould damage.
2001
Hospitality service
The King Edward becomes Platis’s first hotel client.
2007
One central facility
Plant operations are consolidated to bring specialty knowledge under one roof.
TODAY
Still family owned
Gus Platis, current President and CEO, continues to maintain a high level of quality and service while growing the brand and staying on top of all current industry trends.
THREE GENERATIONS
Three Generations in.
Each generation has helped Platis evolve while protecting the principles established at the first shop: careful workmanship, honest guidance and service that feels personal.
1Christos PlatisThe founder
2The second generationGrowth across Toronto
3The next generationCarrying the name forward
BUILT FOR SPECIALTY CARE
Neighbourhood service, backed by one professional facility.
As the company grew, cleaning operations moved to a centralized facility. That model allows local Platis teams to stay close to their communities while experienced specialists care for garments, household items and one-of-a-kind pieces.
- Specialty knowledge under one roof
- Consistent care across Platis locations
- A family name behind every item
OUR FAMILY NAME · MANY NEIGHBOURHOODS
Made in Toronto. Still serving Toronto.
From the Annex to neighbourhoods across the city, every Platis location is part of the same story.
THE PROMISE CONTINUES